Report: Four Fresh Thyme Food Markets coming to Metro Detroit

DETROIT, MI - At least four Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores are in the works for the Metro Detroit area in the next year and a half, and more could be on the way, Crain’s Detroit Business reports.

The Phoenix-based grocery store chain, which specializes in fresh and organic produce, plans to open at Troy Commons in Troy, the Hampton Plaza shopping center in Rochester Hills, Benton’s Crossing in Northville and at a yet-to-be-determined location in Farmington Hills by 2016. In the first two locations, the 30,000-square-foot stores will compete against similar retailers such as Whole Foods and Papa Joe's Gourmet Market, Crain's notes.

Fresh Thyme told Crain’s that more stores are in thew works for Metro Detroit, and expansion plans by the retailer call for bringing about 500 to 1,000 jobs to the area. Each store employs about 100-120 personnel.

A spokesperson for Fresh Thyme could not immediately be reached for comment Monday morning.